Government introduces bills to improve and consolidate food export requirements

Prior to the twin adversities of the recent disastrous Australian summer bushfires in December 2019 – January 2020 and a sudden economic meltdown through the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic impact, Australia’s agrifood export industry was projected to generate sales of approximately AUD $51 billion in 2019-20. In 2015, the Australian Department of Agriculture commenced a review of Australia’s complex existing regulatory framework governing the export of food from Australia. On 27 February 2020, the first set of export bills, which will become the centrals pillars in the new regulatory framework, was passed in Parliament without amendment. This article explores some of the key new issues that companies should consider before exporting food from Australia.